Bishop T. Larry Kirkland is the new leader of the 5th Episcopal District including California

The leaders of the A.M.E. church spoke to thousands in St. Louis

Members of this St. Louis congregation invited me to join them for worship

My pastor and spritual mentor Rev. "J" Edgar Boyd of Bethel A.M.E.

The work I do is very much rooted in the ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest African-American religious denomination, and Bethel A.M.E. Church, San Francisco’s oldest black congregation, founded in February 1852.

AME founder Richard Allen defined liberation theology in the 1700s by walking out of a segregated white church to worship God by taking a firm stance against poverty and slavery.

It was inspiring for me to participate in the 48th quadrennial conference of the church in St. Louis where A.M.E. members came from across the planet. The majesty of the investiture of new bishops and the retirement of bishops who have completed their terms was impressive.

For a local minister like me who carries out the message of faith and restoration daily with two dozen participants in Up From Darkness, it gave me a tangible sign of the larger picture as the Lord moves through so many different people in so many different locations–Africa, India, the Caribbean, all across the United States. It underscores that we can not leave anyone behind, for they might be the instrument through which his grace and mercy are exhibited.